The United States approved this Thursday the first vaccine against chikungunya, developed by the European group Valneva, health authorities announced in a statement.
The vaccine, which will be marketed under the name Ixchiq, is authorized for people over 18 years of age, at greater risk of exposure to the virus, said the United States Drug Administration (FDA), whose decisions are widely followed around the world. .
“Emerging threat to global health”
The chikungunya virus, transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, causes a sudden onset of fever and violent joint pain. Sometimes symptoms can last months or even years, but deaths are rare. This disease is present mainly in tropical regions, particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia and certain regions of America.
However, chikungunya has spread to new areas of the world, causing a rise in cases, the FDA said, calling the disease an “emerging global health threat.” Cases have been recorded in Europe. Valneva has also submitted an application for authorization to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
According to the FDA, at least five million cases of infection have been recorded in the last 15 years. “Chikungunya virus infections can cause serious, long-term health problems, especially for older people and people with medical history,” Peter Marks, a senior official at the US agency, said in the news release.
Two clinical trials with several thousand people
The virus can also be transmitted to babies from their mothers and prove fatal to the baby. The vaccine is injected in one dose and contains the attenuated virus, a standard technique used for other vaccines.
Two clinical trials involving several thousand people were carried out in North America. The main side effects are headaches, fatigue, muscle aches and even nausea. In rare cases, more serious reactions have been seen, the FDA said. Two clinical trial participants who received the vaccine required hospitalization.
Currently there is no specific treatment to cure the disease once the infection is acquired. The main objective of the treatment is to relieve fever and pain using common medications such as paracetamol, combined with good hydration and rest.
In the absence of preventive treatment until now, the only way to protect yourself was to avoid bites.
Source: BFM TV
